Old Vera sat in the most isolated spot in the library.
That scene during the day had given him an extremely huge shock. Thinking classroom! Magic handbook! The thought of what he perceived as the vast pool of knowledge belonged to Felix Hap, a wave of despair born in his heart.
He sat there from day to night without eating a single thing. The librarian passed in front of him several times, each time staring at him with suspicion.
In the evening, there were a few more students appeared. But fortunately, his location is remote enough that no students come to disturb his alone time of wallowing in self-pity.
"Let's go inside!" A voice stated at that moment, "Professor Hap put all the books used in the second task on the innermost shelf. There are two tables behind that shelf, very hidden ..."
Old Vera looked up and saw three students coming up to him, discussing rapidly in whispers.
"Don't look so sad," Hermione advised, it is the same voice from earlier, "Think of it as extracurricular practice for the club-"
"Easy for you to say," Ron muttered, "Do we have to go to Malfoy? I can't bear the thought of that."
Harry also had a depressed look on his face.
They saw old Vera, so Hermione passed Harry and Ron a look and sat down at a table in front of him.
"So, what are you guys going to do?" She asked in a low voice, casting a Muffliato Charm around them as she said so.
"Knock him out when he's not looking and tie him up to where we usually practice our magic." Ron suggested.
"No, we'll have to use that classroom later." Harry replied unwillingly.
"Then we can go to Myrtle's Bathroom instead," Ron immediately changed his mind, "It has the added advantage of being less crowded. Isn't that nice?"
Hermione was surprised that Harry actually considered it for a moment, "He'll rat on us." Harry finally said with regret.
Hermione took her textbooks out of her bag and when she looked back, old Vera had gone.
"He's gone that way," Harry whispered, while pulling out his Potions class assignment, "Do you guys know about the Ancient Rune Society?"
"No." Ron said.
"Yes." That was Hermione's reply.
Harry and Ron looked at her, she explained: " It's a semi-official organization, some test papers for the wizarding exams are issued by them," Hermione looked around and didn't find old Vera's figure, nevertheless she lowered her voice: "As you know, the professor actually prefers practical runes, but The Ancient Rune Society is just the opposite, they are extremely repulsive to it."
"It sounds like they're just a bunch of old fogeys who are still eating the past." Ron said thoughtfully, "My great-great aunt was one of those people, always holding on to a set of rules that had been passed down for centuries, and she has always disapproved of our family having so many children, saying that it would be best if they stopped at Percy's."
Harry and Hermione looked surprised and amused at the same time.
"How could she say that?"
"Who knows," Ron shrugged, "maybe it's because Fred and George put a big Dungbomb under her chair ... Thank goodness, she hasn't been around much since then."
Harry and Hermione laughed.
After a while, Hermione stood up, "I'm going to get some reference books, do you guys need them?"
"Sure!"
"Thanks so much."
Hermione hummed twice and went to the shelf where the ancient rune books are kept and was surprised to see old Vera's figure, he is still here, she thought in surprise. Hermione quickly went through the reference books, she knew these shelves very well, so she quickly picked out one book after another.
"Hello, little girl." Old Vera greeted.
Hermione puffed up and looked at him, little girl? She is almost sixteen years old, and very few people call her that.
"Hello, Mr. Vera."
"Is your name Hermione Jean Granger? I've read your thesis in the magazine ... the 'flame' Rune and the Fire-Making Spell one, as well as the 'light' Rune and the Wand-Lighting Charm one." Old Vera said.
"Oh." Hermione hugged the books as she looked at him.
"That's right, I heard you are Mr. Hap's assistant?" Old Vera saw Hermione nodding, "Can I ask you for some information?"
Hermione looked at him sceptically.
"Ahem! Don't get me wrong," Old Vera said awkwardly, "I meant no harm--"
"That's not what you stated in the newspaper." Hermione said pointedly.
"Oh, uh," Old Vera wiped his sweat, his half-bald forehead reflecting the soft bright light of the magic lamp on the ceiling, " Back then it was a different standpoint, and I've learned a lot in the past two days and think that what I once thought ... might indeed have some problem ... just might!"
Two minutes later.
When he saw Hermione lead the old Vera to their seat, Ron's eyes almost stared out, he made a gesture: Did he hear what we just said?
Hermione shook her head. "Mr. Vera wants to ask us some questions," she said, "about the professor." She added.
Harry and Ron looked at each other. "Don't expect us to betray Professor Hap!" Ron said loudly.
Now it is Old Vera's turn to glare, "What do you take me for?" He yelled furiously, "I'm still the vice president of the Ancient Rune Society, how would I do something that would make me look disgraceful?"
" Is it?"
Old Vera nodded woodenly. He felt that Hogwarts had become completely unrecognizable to him.
At that moment, Mrs. Pince suddenly appeared from behind the bookshelf, holding up a chicken feather duster, her eyes watching them intently like a hawk.
"Oh, crap!" Hermione exclaimed.
Meanwhile, in the ancient rune office, Felix is hosting a visitor from the Ministry of Magic.
"Please sit down." Felix said mildly.
"No need," John Derris said briefly. He looked very robust, his firm, muscular physique visible from the gray-green lapel coat he donned in. Then He spoke by the book, "I have been ordered by Head Scrimgeour to bring some information about Auror and Hit Wizard; You could only read it within my sight, and after you have read it I will destroy all the documents in your presence, with both of us as a witness."
"You have not read the information before?" Felix looked at the suitcase he carried in his hand in surprise.
"It's a confidential document." Derris said matter-of-factly.
He stepped forward, placed the suitcase in front of Felix, and took his wand out of his pocket, waiting quietly. When the hands of the clock pointed at the eight o'clock position, Derris touched the clasp of the suitcase with the tip of his wand, a "chattering" sound emerged from inside, then the clasp automatically popped up, and the suitcase was opened.
Felix looked with interest, a small emerald green bird is standing in the suitcase, it is only palm-sized, but the sound it made is not low. The bird stepped on a thick stack of documents under its feet, which should be the data of the staff.
When the bird saw the sun again, it immediately jumped out and spread its wings towards the window. Felix reached out and caught it in his hand, examining it carefully.
"Better not." Derris said, wand in hand, "This is a warning bird, created for secrecy, it will take the 'all is well' command back to the Ministry. If you hold it a little longer, it may immolate itself."
"Alchemical item?" Felix said with interest as he let go of his hand and the little emerald green bird flew away without incident.
For the following period of time, Derris stood on the opposite side of Felix like a stone statue, watching him read the document without saying a word.
Felix saw many familiar names, such as Tonks, Abbott Balk, Kingsley, and even Derris himself. An hour later, he finished reading all the information.
Immediately, an orange flame flew out from Derris's wand and burned the documents to ashes. After doing all this, he breathed a clear sigh of relief.
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